Ol' Ball Poach

All's fair in love and recruiting. Darrell Givens is not a guy we can afford to lose at this point.

Givens said he will make [a visit to South Carolina] either this coming weekend or the next weekend. "I'm committed to Penn State right now but I'm giving South Carolina a fair shot," he said. "I want to visit them and see what they have to offer." Givens said his father will join him on the visit.

5 months ago Run Up The Score Comment 60 comments 0 recs |

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Blood in the water.

This is just the first of many stories like this over the next few weeks. I mentioned on the FOS message boards that the PSU program is like a wobbly fighter trying to stay on his feet until getting saved by the bell in the 12th round. Let’s see what happens.

--
Mr. Bob Dobalina

by Run Up The Score on Jan 12, 2009 11:27 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

So True

To me, this time of year (‘tween the end of the bowl games, the national HS signing day, spring practice / Blue-White game, etc) is very exciting…taking the good with the bad.
Lots to read about in the blogs, insider info & the like (not info from tWWL).
Black Shoes Diaries and it’s fan base provides me with (and all PSU fanatics I’m sure) with PLENTY of material to chew-on, think about and – best of all – cite personal thoughts/opinions.
BSD is – by far the most comprehensive and insightful CFB information source. It’s fanbase is second to none! True Homers that eat/drink & sleep PSU Football with plenty of comedic relief shared by all.

BSD’s is “alive!”
Every topic is basically like “Blood in the Water.” Whether we initially post it, or read, or comment upon it; we swarm upon the topic with our best intentions to inform/be inciteful… in a continuing effort to…Live Penn State Football and continue the tradition that we all love, live and breathe…Year ’Round!!!

" We need MORE cowbell !"

by BlueWhiteLife on Jan 12, 2009 12:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Aw shucks

Mike
Black Shoe Diaries

by BSD on Jan 12, 2009 12:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Kleenex?

" We need MORE cowbell !"

by BlueWhiteLife on Jan 12, 2009 12:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Sounds like a great commercial.

pay that man Mike.

PSU Softball

by QBsneak12 on Jan 12, 2009 12:05 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

L - O - L

I’ve done, by far, more reading than posting the last 3 years “here”… and THAT my friend IS payment enough. It is energizing!

Here in Charlotte…sooo many ACC/SEC’ers…so, I “gotta have my Pop’s” = PSU! = BSD!

Side Note: Went to the Panther’s Game Sat. nite (Connor & Shaw)…wore my PSU cap & had to of High-Fived 10x’s by fellow alum and fans alike…couple of “We Are’s…” to boot as well. SOOO GOOD to hear down here!!!

" We need MORE cowbell !"

by BlueWhiteLife on Jan 12, 2009 12:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The New World Order

I’m constantly surprised by how many PSU alumni I run into down here in Houston. It seems like every time I leave the house wearing some PSU gear someone stops me and asks if I went to Penn State. We get to talking and of course I tell them about the blog at which point they look at me like I’m inviting them to a lemon party.

Mike
Black Shoe Diaries

by BSD on Jan 12, 2009 12:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

You just had to bring lemon party into this, didn’t you?

John Madden told me 90% of the game was half-mental...

by TheK-GunNeedsReloaded on Jan 12, 2009 1:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I just googled "lemon party"

EEEEEEEEEEEW! Thanks Mike…NOT!

"Red, it took me sixteen years to get here. You play me, and I'll give ya the best I got."

by Touchdown on Jan 12, 2009 2:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

LOL

So you can imagine the look people are giving me?

Mike
Black Shoe Diaries

by BSD on Jan 12, 2009 2:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Like...

…sucking on a lemon?

"Red, it took me sixteen years to get here. You play me, and I'll give ya the best I got."

by Touchdown on Jan 12, 2009 2:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

similar

to the one im making right now? HOLY SHIT thats disgusting and definitely not what I expected. Im sure the university will have my ass for that one.

For the glory

by lionalum05 on Jan 12, 2009 4:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Just in case

You’re wondering how a fine upstanding blogger like me knows about lemon parties, you can think our friends at Black Heart Gold Pants.

Mike
Black Shoe Diaries

by BSD on Jan 12, 2009 4:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

LOL!

That figures! There’s nothing to do in Iowa except pass on pearls of wisdom like that!

"Red, it took me sixteen years to get here. You play me, and I'll give ya the best I got."

by Touchdown on Jan 13, 2009 11:19 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Why?

You guys are already here. He’s preaching to the choir.

Mike
Black Shoe Diaries

by BSD on Jan 12, 2009 12:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I came for the inside info

But I stayed for the Zug and the hot wives/girlfriends.

Luring recruits with my new "Posting HD" scheme since '08.

by 06Lion on Jan 12, 2009 12:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Hot Wives with...

girlfirends…SOUNDS HOTTER!

" We need MORE cowbell !"

by BlueWhiteLife on Jan 12, 2009 12:41 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Wobbly?

If PSU is a “wobbly fighter” what does that make a school like South Carolina?

Few schools are perfect and, certainly, there are schools that seem to be better than PSU in certain regards (especially when it comes to weather, which we can’t help). But it’s tough to argue that PSU isn’t a top notch program and the type of school that would be interesting to play at. Just look at how many recruits go to our games and come away impressed. 100+ people and the tailgating atmosphere — plus playing for a legend and being on TV every game — are pretty big draws.

by Laaaaazzz on Jan 12, 2009 4:15 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Seriously...

Coaches leave good programs for other opportunities all of the time. Penn State has been the only exception to this rule over time, but to assume that it will never happen to us is just silly. After the Ohio State game I was openly wondering what the hell our coaching staff had to do to get noticed. You know after the biggest road win the school had in about 15 years, the no turnover, no penalty, no three and out game?

Further to assume we can’t replace him with an equally talented coach is just as silly. My guess is TC Williams High School has another head coch worth interviewing, and maybe there is somebody else with a kid who can play tailback worth interviewing too.

Breath deep, 11-2, Big Ten Champs, 11-2, Big Ten Champs….It’s gonna be okay.

"I honestly think the "Spread HD" is going to work pretty well, and we’ll be just fine this year". - 8-27-2008

by jesse. on Jan 13, 2009 8:28 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

that's a good point

We really should bring in some younger guys, with sons – how will we fill our roster of clipboard place kick holders?

by PSUgirl on Jan 13, 2009 9:42 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The Message board double standard

For years I heard message board trolls point out the lack of Joe Paterno disciples out coaching at other schools. They pointed to the fact that our coaching staff has been together for decades as proof positive that they were not attractive to other programs and thus not very good.

Now that LJSR is thinking of leaving it’s the end of the world and they accuse Joe Paterno of running the program into the ground by running off his best coaches.

Which is it?

Mike
Black Shoe Diaries

by BSD on Jan 13, 2009 9:56 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I think it is time for a new defensive scheme anyway

How about 4 down lineman and 7 linebackers, sure we will get burned deep (no difference there) but think how we will stuff the runs.

We just needed a couple players, a couple people to buy in to the fact and we were able to do it. --A.Q. Shipley

by psu on Jan 12, 2009 11:33 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Not Good

Playing time can happen at PSU too. I guess he didn’t realize we lost all of our starting DBs.

I’m more worried about some of the DBs leaving and Stanley. I don’t think Devon Smith will go anywhere.

Hopefully we have some other kids in the pipeline..

PSU Softball

by QBsneak12 on Jan 12, 2009 11:35 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

My un-informed opinion, based on all the various things I've read

LJ Sr. is gone. They’re offering him a huge promotion, and his relationship with Joe may have soured after the Taylor/Baker dismisal (speculation for sure)

Maybin, Odrick, and Bowman are off to the draft. They were LJ’s kids, and given the opportunity to play for someone else or go to the NFL, they’ll leave in a heart-beat. The rookie-cap next season only helps make the decision easier.

Givens is gone, he was never really that firm; he’s quoted as saying he’ll visit WVU too and that was before this whole thing. He’ll change his mind on signing day.

We are going to lose some big-time recruits when LJ leaves us, be prepared for it. We are not going to have this dream class we would, or should, because our recruiting and coaching situation is a mess without LJ.

by millzners on Jan 12, 2009 11:45 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Don't hit the panic button yet....

From what I’ve read about Givens, Paterno et al told him to take more visits to make sure PSU is his place, and he reluctantly agreed to do so. Givens has said that he’ll take a few visits and give them an honest look, then commit to PSU for good. Based on this, it seems more of a formality that hes visiting than legitimately testing the waters. But time will ultimately tell I guess.

by Domin8ing the Big Ten(11) on Jan 12, 2009 11:47 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Here we go

You called it perfectly. It’s going to be a rollercoaster month as we try to hang on to all of these Maryland kids. They are all really close with each other so maybe that will help us keep them together. But if one of them jumps ship it may start a chain reaction that ends in disaster.

Mike
Black Shoe Diaries

by BSD on Jan 12, 2009 11:52 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

By the sounds of it...

…you guys make us sound like a 7-6 program. If I recall, we just finished a season in which we won the Big Ten, went 11-2 and finished in the top 10 in the nation. Not too bad.

Everything is fine. We are deep and will be continuing our success in the next couple years. Yeah LJ Sr. is leaving (probably), but like Evans being suspended and Maybin stepping in, a coach will step in and fill his shoes.

Odrick and Bowman are not leaving.

WE ARE.......PENN STATE!

by Nick7 on Jan 12, 2009 12:10 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Here's my plan until LOI Day is over

by RNF18 on Jan 12, 2009 12:13 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Gotta love it

It wouldn’t be January without recruiting drama.

Mike
Black Shoe Diaries

by BSD on Jan 12, 2009 12:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I miss August

Ah, the arguments over Clark and Devlin. So much better than recruiting scares.

"They haven't played us yet."

by ReadingRambler on Jan 12, 2009 12:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Good news, maybe?

Stokes indicated he may take an official with us Jan 30th, which would be the last visit before signing. Justin Brown still seems like we’re his leader, and so we may have a fair shot at both of them.

We could still finish very strong with offense, but as one of my previous fanposts has indicated, we haven’t had a highly rated offensive recruit pan out in like 10 years (DWill being the only exception).

Also, Stokes has a brother who’s a highly rated QB (obviously) from PA, and getting the older brother might mean getting the younger brother too. That could be awesome.

by millzners on Jan 12, 2009 12:25 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

stabby was doing pretty well until he, you know tried to stab some one.

It would be nice to have a big name come in and do well, I feel like there is a reluctance among WRs to come in because of our lack of big name receivers in the past years. If we could get a receiver to come in and generate buzz and be a first round pick it would be great.

We just needed a couple players, a couple people to buy in to the fact and we were able to do it. --A.Q. Shipley

by psu on Jan 12, 2009 1:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Also at play with Givens

You have to think other coaches are asking all of our DB recruits if they want to go play Cover-3 at PSU and get torched in the bowl game like we did this year. If I’m a cornerback hoping to go to the NFL and I saw that Rose Bowl I would think twice about playing for Penn State. Justin King doesn’t appear to be going anywhere in the NFL. A.J. Wallace has one more year to live up to his five star reputation. So even without losing LJSR we’re not very attractive to defensive backs right now.

Mike
Black Shoe Diaries

by BSD on Jan 12, 2009 12:35 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Givens

He’s bigger than all of our starting corners right now, so is Lynn. Is it possible that there could be a scheme shift in the future? If we learn nothing from the Rose Bowl it’s that we can’t run the same zone scheme all game. Givens is good at bump and run according to scouts and he’s great in man. Hopefully we can sell him on a new scheme, a more talented secondary, and early playing time.

Also, I doubt LJ Sr. was the only guy recruiting Givens. I guarantee that Bradley has a solid relationship with Givens. Last year we all thought Lynn was gone when Brian Norwood left. It looks scary now, but I’m not giving up hope yet.

by psuphiman80 on Jan 12, 2009 12:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Also

Projected Safety Gearld Hodges is 6-3 which will add more size to our defensive backfield.

by psuphiman80 on Jan 12, 2009 1:05 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

chicken and the egg: do we play cover-3 because we have crappy corners, or do we have crappy corners because they develop in a cover-3 scheme.

Also, Bradley has really disappointed me with these defensive meltdowns that almost always are the result of soft DB coverage. ‘07 OSU ’07 MSU, ’08 Iowa, ’08 USC. My opinion of the guy has really taken a dive recently due to the fact that he’s also the DB coach.

by millzners on Jan 12, 2009 12:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Cover 3

From Wikipedia…
“Cover Three – In cover three, the two corners and free safety each have responsibility for a deep third of the field, while the strong safety plays like a linebacker. This coverage is generally considered to be a run stopping defense as it focuses on preventing big pass plays and stopping the run while giving up short passes.”

We weren’t even effective at running the Cover 3, by these standards. I didn’t see much prevention of big pass plays during USC’s dismantling of the secondary.

Luring recruits with my new "Posting HD" scheme since '08.

by 06Lion on Jan 12, 2009 12:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Well

Nothing is perfect, and the USC receivers were so much bigger and faster than the corners that the WRs could just catch the balls in the seam or above our players. The biggest problem is that the staff didn’t know how to adjust to this problem. PSU never played man all year.

by psuphiman80 on Jan 12, 2009 1:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

One thought

Could our soft DB play be partially because we don’t have any big physical receivers to practice against?

If you don’t have a 6’5" 220 kid that runs a 4.4 on the team, how can you practice defending against one?

Maybe bringing in Brown, and possibly Stokes to match up with Wallace and (maybe) Givens in practice will make both sides of the ball more physical.

by millzners on Jan 12, 2009 1:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

that would not explain 30 years of prevent

by PSUgirl on Jan 12, 2009 1:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe

But that doesn’t mean that PSU couldn’t play man in some situations, that would just mean they weren’t used to matching up with huge receivers. It doesn’t explain why we refused to use man all season.

by psuphiman80 on Jan 12, 2009 1:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Cover three also exposes the seems, which USC exploited....over and over again.

by Spats on Jan 12, 2009 1:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

seams

by Spats on Jan 12, 2009 1:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Your 2nd paragraph

Is dead on.

The strategy has been so horrible it makes one question everything about Bradley.

I was sold that he was the next head coach…like in 2027 when JoePa dies…but now…I’m not sure. Maybe it’ll be Sean Lee…who will be a young up and comer after a successful NFL career with a few years under is belt as a DC in the Big East and head coach in the MAC.

by NittanyBadger on Jan 12, 2009 3:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Eh, not entirely

Bradley coaches the CB’s. Kermit Buggs coaches the safeties. I find that odd, but maybe other teams split up the duties like that. I know we have two OL coaches, too.

http://gopsusports.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/psu-m-footbl-mtt.html#coaches

by Tailgate Shogun on Jan 12, 2009 4:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I wouldn't say

That King isn’t going anywhere in the NFL, he was supposedly securing decent playing time for the Rams in their nickel before he had a season ending injury in the pre-season. I mean we don’t know for sure, but I don’t think you can say he isn’t going anywhere quite yet. Connor also missed his rookie season and Puz missed half of his.

by Roland86 on Jan 12, 2009 3:09 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

True

But he’s not exactly a major success story for us in recruiting if he’s sitting on the IR list. Until then he’s the kid with first round talent that regressed his junior year and slipped to the third round.

Mike
Black Shoe Diaries

by BSD on Jan 12, 2009 3:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Ughh

I clicked on “comments” thinking I would see a lovely list of Spurrier Scorn – but instead, I’m just depressed and nervous – of course that may just be the byproduct of morning coffee w/no food.

Need to go get some lunch – and remember that Pennsylvania dominates (professional) football.

by PSUgirl on Jan 12, 2009 1:11 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

If you need some bashing

we can always bring over some of the guys from BHGP – they just had nearly a month of Smelley Cock jokes.

by IcersGuy on Jan 12, 2009 1:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Here you go! Shirt seen at FL/GA game a few years back (when SS was still at FL)

Jesus Loves Steve Spurrier. Everyone else thinks he’s an a$$hole

The little drunk frat boy from GA wearing it would not sell it to me!

by letsgopsu on Jan 12, 2009 2:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

This year's shirt at the Fl/SC game was Spurrier has a Smelly Cock

Success without honor is like an unseasoned dish, it will fill you up but it won't taste good. - Joe V. Paterno

by carolinaeasy on Jan 12, 2009 2:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Ha! I do feel sorry for him, image having to through life with that name!

by letsgopsu on Jan 12, 2009 3:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

well, he's left SC

he’s going to play baseball, reportedly.

but which is worse Chris Smelley or Casey (or Nathan) Dick?

there will definitely be something missing from future Ark / USC matchups

by PSUgirl on Jan 13, 2009 9:55 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Just for fun

by letsgopsu on Jan 15, 2009 11:47 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

oops

where did the link go?

by letsgopsu on Jan 15, 2009 11:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

South Carolina

is not that impressive of a school…they get beat up on every single year and really don’t compete well in the SEC. This boy is pie eyed if he thinks he will do better at South Carolina, I know I am a season ticket holder!

Success without honor is like an unseasoned dish, it will fill you up but it won't taste good. - Joe V. Paterno

by carolinaeasy on Jan 12, 2009 2:22 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Good news

For all of us feeling blue about LJ (and his recruits) maybe going elsewhere, here’s some good news: Kevin Newsome, Gerald Hodges, Ty Howle and Anthony Fera are now officially Penn State students.

Newsome looks sharp in the cap.

by NJ lion on Jan 12, 2009 3:39 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

OK, so the picture didn’t work. It was Newsome in suit and tie and PSU ballcap.
Here’s the story: http://bwi.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=899420

by NJ lion on Jan 12, 2009 3:41 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Fera

didn’t look that impressive in the UA game. I know he was fighting the flu, but he kicked the ball out of bounds and not deep at all. Also he said he was going to try and be the kicker AND punter once Boone leaves..no way JoePa lets that happen.

PSU Softball

by QBsneak12 on Jan 12, 2009 3:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs